Catching Triggerfish
in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
For a fish that once was just a throwback on a reef fishing trip for red snapper, the gray triggerfish has become a popular target for anglers, and rightfully so. While these reef fish are known for their human-like teeth, they offer a deliciously mild and sweet flavor for those who catch them.
Fishing for Gray Triggerfish
Triggerfish Name
Triggerfish Name
Triggerfish is named for its “trigger’’ at the rear of its dorsal fin. Press it down, and it releases the larger spine at the front of the dorsal fin, which can be folded down. If you don’t press the trigger, the large spine will not move.
Triggerfish Season
Triggerfish Season
The recreational harvest of gray triggerfish opens each year on March 1 and remains open until the annual catch limit is met or projected to be met. However, the triggerfish season is closed during June and July during red snapper season and January and February to ensure the stock can rebuild. The bag limit is one per person with a minimum 15-inch fork length, measured from the tip of the mouth to the fork in the tail.
Best Rigs for Catching Triggerfish
Best Rigs for Catching Triggerfish
Head into the Gulf just like you would on a red snapper trip and find the structure, either artificial reefs or natural bottom, and drop down a bait. Understand that you will likely catch red snapper that must be released. Be sure to vent or use a descending device on those released fish to aid in their survival.
To increase your chances of catching triggerfish instead of snapper, significantly downsize your hook size to a No. 2 circle hook. You can use a double-drop rig, which is relatively common for most charter boats, or a single-hook rig with a fluorocarbon leader tied to a swivel with a three- to six-ounce weight, depending on the current.
Best Bait for Triggerfish
Best Bait for Triggerfish
Triggerfish are known to steal your bait, so most anglers opt to use cut squid for bait with its tough shell that keeps the fish from easily robbing you. You can use medium-heavy spinning tackle or the traditional saltwater reels to drop the bait to the bottom and then reel up a couple of cranks to be off the bottom to feel the strike. Most triggers are going to weigh from four to seven pounds, but every once in a while, you’ll get lucky and reel in a 10-pounder, which yields a pair of nice fillets.
Cooking Triggerfish
Cooking Triggerfish
One of the reasons triggerfish were once a less-than-desired species is that they are somewhat difficult to clean unless you know the best techniques. The best one I’ve witnessed is using a box cutter to cut the rough skin all the way around the body on both sides. Cut enough skin back to get a good grip and then rip it off the side of the fish.
The flesh is delicious, and, dare say, it’s better than red snapper to me. But that could just be me, although I doubt it. You can fry it, sauté it, grill it, or make ceviche. It’s all delicious.
David Rainer
David Rainer has written about the great outdoors on the Alabama Gulf Coast for more than 20 years. For 14 of those years, he covered the many fishing opportunities on the Gulf Coast as outdoors editor at the Mobile Press-Register. He is past president of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association and currently serves on the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council's Outreach and Education Advisory Panel and the Alabama Gulf Coast Reef & Restoration Foundation board.
